I don't think most people are out to bash Aruba or make a bad name for them because of Joran. However I think many Americans are fearful that if something happens to them on the island of Aruba, they will be treated in the same manner as the Holloway family. That is a valid concern...

I don't mean to sound argumentative, but what do you mean treated in the same manner as the Holloway family? They were treated by law enforcement according to their laws. And the legal system worked within the scope of their laws. They HAD to. It's all about the LAW. And I know it's been said many times before, but again, they had no physical evidence - not a shred. And let's not forget how they were treated by the people of Aruba. Every local on that wonderful island had nothing but the utmost sympathy for the Holloways. I've seen them shed tears over this. They were horrified. They wanted to find evidence, they wanted to help (and they did), they wanted something the law could work with just as we all did. It's horrible that Joran could get away with this (I know, I know - allegedly). But there are plenty of criminals everywhere that escape the law. It's terrible, but true. You just have to hope and pray that justice will eventually triumph.

And I can tell you, there is no fear at all among the Americans who visit Aruba. If you only knew...

Last edited by roschone; Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 10:01 PM.
Reason: typo was killing me

I'm always happy to be a member of this wonderful forum, but at times like this it is especially meaningful to me. I have read and reread all your thoughts about what we have observed in the past five years. Two families have gone through so much pain, and hopefully justice will prevail and give the families a touch of relief. My prayers are with both families along with Joran's mother. I'll say nothing about what lies ahead for Joran in the Peruvian judicial system, but hopefully he will live to deeply regret his deeds.

Joran has confessed to murdering the young lady in Peru. Maximum sentence for murder is 35 years (no life; no death). He will more than likely get a lessened sentence for confessing. He will be young if/when he gets out of jail, unlike the two girls whose lives he took.

i am sure that you have all heard that joran has confessed to the murder. according to every news report i have heard or read, he lost it when she grabbed his computer and started looking up info on him.

my heart goes out to all families involved in this situation. none of the parents are going to ever live without horrible memories again.

Joran has confessed to murdering the young lady in Peru. Maximum sentence for murder is 35 years (no life; no death). He will more than likely get a lessened sentence for confessing. He will be young if/when he gets out of jail, unlike the two girls whose lives he took.

15-20 years in a Peruvian prison? He better learn how to control that temper because hes not going to have any privacy there. Better learn not to drop the soap in the shower as well, and if he does, leave it on the floor.

yes it is true. i posted it a few hours ago. it has been on every news station and every newspaper on line. however, as sandra says, he is likely to change his story as he has done before. at least this time there is evidence unlike in aruba when there was only suspicion.

Just saw it on CNN. Here I was hoping they'd hang him high, and instead I find out that the maximum sentence in Peru for murder is 15-35 years. I am strangely disappointed. Peru has no death penalty, but not even life imprisonment, no matter how violent the murder. And the judge has to take into consideration that he is cooperating with authorities before sentencing. I guess I was hoping for more. But then again, from what I've read, that kind of jail time in Peru may make him wish there was a death penalty or life imprisonment. My God, I sound so blood thirsty - is this really me talking?

I would guess that they had him solidly this time, whether he confessed or not. I have read that they found him with bloody clothes, that the cameras show no one else but Van Der Sloot leaving but the two of them entering the room, which was in his name. That he told the hotel he was coming back and that she was sleeping, leaving instructions not to bother her. Running away from the scene. No doubt DNA evidence. That, combined with the possibility of a reduced sentence, and it may have made more sense for him to confess. It makes the likelihood of a reversal a bit less, and certainly less meaningful. Just my take on it.

Please remember when you are visiting Aruba that this a VERY sensitive subject. It would be very rude to discuss this with Arubans. I was in Aruba at the time Natalie's group was there (I flew back that Saturday, before she disappeared), and it was on my mind when I was there for two weeks May 16-30. I NEVER mentioned it, although I recall there was an article in the Aruba News about it. I work in Washington DC and live in Northern VA, and I would be offended if people asked me if I was afraid to live there, even though five women were murdered within 3 miles of my apartment building in the mid-70s (they executed the killer).

Please remember when you are visiting Aruba that this a VERY sensitive subject. It would be very rude to discuss this with Arubans. I was in Aruba at the time Natalie's group was there (I flew back that Saturday, before she disappeared), and it was on my mind when I was there for two weeks May 16-30. I NEVER mentioned it, although I recall there was an article in the Aruba News about it. I work in Washington DC and live in Northern VA, and I would be offended if people asked me if I was afraid to live there, even though five women were murdered within 3 miles of my apartment building in the mid-70s (they executed the killer).

Your right as there is no need to mention it, but the general consensus is everyone is very satisfied he's in jail. The only people dissapointed would be his mother and family, who I also feel great remorse for. About the only others remorseful will be anyone who is found to be implicated in the Holloway murder. Not sure what can done at this point, but if he confesses and implicates others here, they will investigate the allegations for sure.
Just .

I think the reporting now in the US about Joran in Peru has had sort of a negative slant about Aruba. Maybe my thinking is influenced by a couple negative comments heard again from the NH family.
We go to a number of social gatherings/clubs/meetings in this area of Florida. Many friends know we go to Aruba every year. A dozen or so have gone to Aruba with us. If we are wearing some kind of Aruba shirt/T-shirt, some other person may make some negative comment about Aruba...like I would never go there, that's where that American girl was murdered.
We ALWAYS defend Aruba. Without hesitation, I do believe it is safer than most Caribbean islands...probably something like 12 islands on cruises, 4 islands on fly-in vacations. Probably safer than Orlando.
The damage is done. The Joran story brings up old misconceptions. Don't get me started on people like Nancy Disgrace who will probably use this as a topic for the next year.
I hope the murderer receives swift justice based on evidence. I also hope the topic disappears into oblivion...an awful time for families involved. Just my opinion.

ABC is reporting that Joran was traveling in South America with the $15000 he got in the bribery sting. This means he probably would not have been in Peru if they had not given him the money. So if they are saying(which they are) he could not have killed the girl in Peru if Aruba had done its job, its also fair to say he couldnt have done it if he had not gotten $15000 from the FBI and Holloways.

If someone is capable of murdering an innocent person, then they are capable of doing it again and again. Money or not, just a matter of when and where. To late for the blame game. Coulda ,shoulda, woulda. Not going to change a thing. If he's convicted and placed in the "general population" he'll need all the murderous skills he can muster.
P.S. I personally don't care where he is convicted and how much time he does, he obviously has mental issues and can't be deemed harmless until he's just not physically able to do it again. Once a killer, always a Killer.

For those who may be interested,
I just read todays Diario online and they are saying that, Joran is now being investigated ( or being looked at) in Bogota Columbia for the disapperance of 2 girls while he was there. He was in Bogota from the 6th. of May until the 14th. of May. He was gambeling as were the 2 missing Columbian girls. He also apperently stayed at 2 different hotels while he was there ? The authoritys find this strange. They are now reviewing all the tapes from the Casinos to see if he was communicating with the same 2 girls. This may not be totally accurate from my translation, but it's close.
Also, I need to go find something else to do

For those who may be interested,
I just read todays Diario online and they are saying that, Joran is now being investigated ( or being looked at) in Bogota Columbia for the disapperance of 2 girls while he was there. He was in Bogota from the 6th. of May until the 14th. of May. He was gambeling as were the 2 missing Columbian girls. He also apperently stayed at 2 different hotels while he was there ? The authoritys find this strange. They are now reviewing all the tapes from the Casinos to see if he was communicating with the same 2 girls. This may not be totally accurate from my translation, but it's close.
Also, I need to go find something else to do

Last night, Jane Velez-Mitchell checked with CNN/Colombia in Bogota. They checked with the local police who informed them that they were not seeking any information from Joran van der Sloot. Two obvious problems with the story about him being involved in the disappearance of two girls in Colombia: (1) it does not fit in the established timeline that has him accepting money on Aruba on May 10, and (2) the source of the Colombia rumor was Jossy Mansur.

__________________
Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Saw Greta this morning on GMA....she actually left Aruba alone for once....she did, however, question the FBI's reason for not moving quicker on picking Joran up after the sting operation.I too, wonder why that was??? I can only figure they didn't think they had enough substantial evidence to make it stick......and wanted to make more of a case before they picked him up. Too bad he took the cash and ran off to Peru......so sad. It just keeps getting more bizarre as the reports come out. I hope they can put him behind bars where he belongs and put an end to all this once and for all.

Last night, Jane Velez-Mitchell checked with CNN/Colombia in Bogota. They checked with the local police who informed them that they were not seeking any information from Joran van der Sloot. Two obvious problems with the story about him being involved in the disappearance of two girls in Colombia: (1) it does not fit in the established timeline that has him accepting money on Aruba on May 10, and (2) the source of the Colombia rumor was Jossy Mansur.

Just my thoughts,
What does money have to do with it ? I myself or the Diario didnt mention money. Just the fact that he was there and 2 girls show up missing. They are looking into it, what does Bogota have to gain from such allegations, regardless of Jossy Mansur. Based on what I read, they have arrival and departure dates !Time line is stated, 5/6/10 to 5/14/10. Just a question ? I would guess that even the Diario has some factual info or it would not have published it in the first place.
I will go to Bogota Newspapers or other online sites and check my story for those interested. Also , how many on here read Papiamento and Spanish ? Certainly Joan Velez Mitchell Might ? That dosent mean she isnt working for the top ratings.

Saw Greta this morning on GMA....she actually left Aruba alone for once....she did, however, question the FBI's reason for not moving quicker on picking Joran up after the sting operation.I too, wonder why that was??? I can only figure they didn't think they had enough substantial evidence to make it stick......and wanted to make more of a case before they picked him up. Too bad he took the cash and ran off to Peru......so sad. It just keeps getting more bizarre as the reports come out. I hope they can put him behind bars where he belongs and put an end to all this once and for all.

She's a "Has Been" and the FBI did F(*)(* up. Now Aruba can laugh at us. Which is exactly their sentiment today! How can a 22 yr. old beat the FBI for 25 G's ? Com on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are lots of "ifs," Bob. If Joran's father had caught him sneaking out of the house that night; if his Mom, who seemed to keep a tighter reign on him wasn't in Holland, there would be no Natalee Holloway story. Natalee would have graduated college by now, and be going on with her life.

As Jawz said.... woulda, coulda, shoulda, and if only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arubabob

ABC is reporting that Joran was traveling in South America with the $15000 he got in the bribery sting. This means he probably would not have been in Peru if they had not given him the money. So if they are saying(which they are) he could not have killed the girl in Peru if Aruba had done its job, its also fair to say he couldnt have done it if he had not gotten $15000 from the FBI and Holloways.

There are lots of "ifs," Bob. If Joran's father had caught him sneaking out of the house that night; if his Mom, who seemed to keep a tighter reign on him wasn't in Holland, there would be no Natalee Holloway story. Natalee would have graduated college by now, and be going on with her life.

As Jawz said.... woulda, coulda, shoulda, and if only.

I totally agree Elaine, that says it all. All these "ifs", and who's to blame, etc. The only one to blame is the criminal. And he's been caught. Let's hope he gets all he deserves. My heart goes out to the families. I tried to post this last night, but I lost the connection.

Don't buy into that lap top story.....you would think if he had info on it linking him to Natalee it would of been locked with pass words and I doubt in the time it took him to go across the street for coffee this girl could have hacked in to it...

Joran van der Sloot was charged for murder
Confessed murderer of Stephany Flores would be transferred in the next few hours in jail. Judge denounced those who took to the border to Netherlands on the grounds that they were aware of the crime
The Dutchman citizen Joran van der Sloot was denounced by the alleged crimes of murder and against property in the form of simple theft after admitting he murdered Stephany Flores.

This is established the judge of the court in Time Permanent Court of Lima, Juan Buendia Valenzuela, who opened his statement with an arrest warrant for Joran van der Sloot.

According to the statement of the Judiciary, Buendia welcomed the prosecutor's report according to which Van der Sloot would have killed Ramirez Flores "with great ferocity and cruelty."

"At dawn today, the judge took the general law to the Netherlands national citizen 22 years of age and, minutes later, authorities officiated at the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) to comply with an outpatient center in a prison" , the statement said.

REPORTED MORE The complaint also includes John Williams, John Oswaldo Aparcana Pisconte and Carlos Alberto Uribe parapet. The three are accused by the alleged failure to report crime.

The magistrate found that Williams, Uribe Aparcana Pisconte and helped with transportation to the Netherlands have, allegedly, knowledge of his crime.

If it was the EffaBeeEye's money, then that's our tax dollars at work. Just wish it had gone to a good cause.

The family doesn't blame the Feds for letting him slip away from their own investigation. They blame Aruba! The Aruban authorities said it was an American investigation and their call for making an arrest. Since they never issued a warrant, the Arubans were not authorized to arrest him.
I wondered when this would turn to blaming Aruba again.

__________________Walt

"Vacation is what you make of it, what you take from it and what you leave behind."

sad and true walt. so, in the states, if we let a person leave our country not wanted for any crime in our country and no warrant has been issued by any other country, we would be at fault for allowing him to leave?

is that insane? aruba is supposedly guilty of doing what it legally must do so aruba is to be blamed? ironically, the states would have had to do exactly the same thing. you can't hold someone when no charges are pending against them by any country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogwriter

The family doesn't blame the Feds for letting him slip away from their own investigation. They blame Aruba! The Aruban authorities said it was an American investigation and their call for making an arrest. Since they never issued a warrant, the Arubans were not authorized to arrest him.
I wondered when this would turn to blaming Aruba again.

Jawz wrote:
Diario has some factual info or it would not have published it in the first place.

LOL! The news here is not like US news. Facts? They post a story and the next day contradict what they said....
There have been a lot of lawsuits against the Diario printing untrue articles and they have not been on the winning side.

actually, newspapers in the states often put their own slant on things and then print a retraction after damage is done. somehow, with freedom of press, the retraction seems to keep them from having many lawsuits even if that retraction is in a one liner on page thirty-eight published between two advertisements that no one would read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzardo

Jawz wrote:
Diario has some factual info or it would not have published it in the first place.

LOL! The news here is not like US news. Facts? They post a story and the next day contradict what they said....
There have been a lot of lawsuits against the Diario printing untrue articles and they have not been on the winning side.

I don't know if it's because Aruba is so small that it can't be noticed about Bias of the press here.

But imo 'freedom of the press' does not always mean 'accurate in-depth' reporting like in the old days. Just watch the movie "Good night and good luck" the other night. Wish news wasn't considered 'infotainment'!

The family doesn't blame the Feds for letting him slip away from their own investigation. They blame Aruba! The Aruban authorities said it was an American investigation and their call for making an arrest. Since they never issued a warrant, the Arubans were not authorized to arrest him.
I wondered when this would turn to blaming Aruba again.

Dogwriter, I was wondering the same thing myself and just praying it wouldn't happen. I mean, Oh my God!! Here we go with the Blame Game again. Aruba only upholded the law. And it must have killed them to do so. But that's what they had to do. Yes, there may be blame to spread around, but I don't think it's Aruba. And let's not forget who is REALLY to blame, Joran Vandersloot.

It's over now> He's in jail and miserable. Not a piece if T.P in the cell that I saw. Anyways, even I'm bored with this one !!!!!!!!!!!! Justice has and will be served. I do feel for the ALL THE FAMILIES INVOLVED!